Living in Indonesia in 2026: visas, budget, health, and connectivity

Living in Indonesia means choosing the fourth most populous country in the world, a warm climate all year round, and one of the lowest costs of living in Southeast Asia. It also means accepting a demanding administration, real natural risks, and an unequal healthcare system. Here is what tips the balance.

• Low rents. Outside of trendy neighborhoods, a one-bedroom apartment rents for an average of €151 per month according to Numbeo, and €260 in the city center.
• A tropical climate. It is warm all year round: beach, surfing, diving, and hiking on volcanoes can be enjoyed in every season, depending on the rainfall.
• A rare cultural diversity. The archipelago brings together hundreds of ethnic groups, languages, and traditions, from Balinese Hinduism to the sultanates of Java.
• A strategic location. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia are just a few hours' flight away: practical for exploring the region, with a Malaysia eSIM, a Thailand eSIM or an Australia eSIM depending on your getaway.
• An international community. In Canggu, Ubud, or Seminyak, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and expat families meet in coworking spaces and colivings.

The table below pits these advantages against the disadvantages.

With income from Western countries, your standard of living rises significantly: the cost of living is low, the living environment is varied, and the cultural life is of a rare richness, between Balinese ceremonies, Javanese temples, and street food. Like Thailand, its Southeast Asian neighbor, Indonesia has become an expatriation destination that attracts expats from all over the world.

Quality of life then depends on four services, detailed below: health, which must be secured privately; security, which is good in areas where expatriates live; internet connection, which is decent in the city; and schooling.

Geography, politics, religion: the fundamentals you need to know

Indonesia is an archipelago straddling the equator, stretching across three time zones. Java holds the majority of the population and the capital, Jakarta: it is the country's economic and political center. The regime is a presidential republic, with a president elected by direct suffrage and a lively political life, especially in Jakarta: stay away from gatherings.

Regarding religion, Islam is the dominant faith, the State officially recognizes six religions, and Bali is an exception with its Hindu majority. The national language, bahasa Indonesia, coexists with hundreds of regional languages. These landmarks matter in daily life: religious holidays, Ramadan, dress codes, and attitudes toward alcohol change significantly from one island to another.

How does the education system work?

Expatriated families almost always enroll their children in an international school, which follows a British, American, or International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. These establishments are concentrated in Jakarta and Bali, and their tuition fees are high. For higher education, the country's major universities, such as Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta, Bandung Institute of Technology, or Universitas Airlangga in Surabaya, welcome international students with an appropriate visa.

Economy and salaries: what to expect?

Indonesia is the leading economy in Southeast Asia, driven by its natural resources, industry, and tourism, especially in Bali. Local wages remain low: Numbeo estimates the average monthly net salary to be approximately €231 in September 2026. This explains the price levels and why most foreigners live on income earned outside the country (remote work, retirement, business) or hold expert and management positions, paid well above this average.

The challenges of expatriation in Indonesia relate less to the pleasant daily life than to everything surrounding it. Inequalities are visible between expatriate neighborhoods and the lives of most residents, and the primary challenge of any expatriation remains administrative: visas, declarations, and residence permits require rigor, and the only legal way to stay is through the correct permit.

• Uneven infrastructure. Outside of major cities, roads are in poor condition, electricity cuts out occasionally, and public services are scarce.
• Intense traffic. In Jakarta, traffic jams and air pollution weigh on daily life: choose your accommodation near your workplace.
• The language barrier. English is enough in tourist areas, but much less so elsewhere.
• Natural risks. Earthquakes, eruptions, and tsunamis are part of life in the archipelago, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• Cultural and religious codes to respect. With Islam being the majority religion and Hinduism in Bali: dress code, alcohol, and public behavior follow more conservative norms than in Europe.
• Corruption. Indonesia scored 34 out of 100 on Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 109th out of 182 countries. In practical terms, unofficial "fees" may be demanded from you during a traffic stop or while completing administrative procedures. Good practices: always keep your papers in order (international driving permit, helmet, residence permit), always ask for a written receipt for every payment, and use established visa agencies rather than intermediaries found in a group.
• Pollution and waste. Rapid development is evident: plastic waste on certain beaches, especially during the rainy season, and degraded air quality in large cities. This is a full-fledged criterion for choosing your neighborhood.
• A regulated foreigner status. Even if you have been living there for years, you remain a guest: no full ownership of the land, activities limited to what your visa allows, and sometimes higher prices for foreigners on certain websites. Stays of more than 60 days without the right visa require you to leave the country, which quickly becomes tiring.
• Strict administration. A successful expatriation begins with a valid residence permit: overstaying a visa even by one day comes at a cost, and working without the proper permit leads to deportation.

The official language is Indonesian (bahasa Indonesia), a language without conjugation or tones, renowned for being accessible. In expatriate neighborhoods, English is sufficient for daily life. Elsewhere, a few words of Indonesian can change your relationship with your landlord, your driver, or the immigration officer.

Well-prepared, expatriating to Indonesia remains accessible: most of these challenges are resolved before departure, with the right visa, health insurance, and housing tested on-site. These are the three key areas of any expatriation in the archipelago, detailed in the following sections.

The choice of visa depends on two questions: how long you are staying, and where your income comes from. Each visa application is completed online on the official Directorate General of Immigration portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id): you upload the necessary documents, a letter or supporting evidence depending on the case, and the payment. Several visa types require a local guarantor, the "sponsor" in visa agency terminology: an employer, a company, or an individual depending on the program. Rates and conditions retrieved from this portal on September 21, 2026.

VITAS, KITAS, KITAP: how does long-term stay work?

To reside permanently, the process can be summarized in three acronyms. First, before departure, you apply for a limited stay visa (VITAS): these are the visas whose codes start with E in the table above. Upon arrival, this visa provides a temporary residence permit, the ITAS, which everyone calls KITAS. After several years of residence, it can lead to a permanent permit, the KITAP.

Almost all of these titles rely on a sponsor, the guarantor who answers for you before immigration: a company for an employee, an Indonesian spouse for a family visa, or your own company for an investor. Without a sponsor, there are still visas based on your income or assets (E33G remote work, Silver Hair, Second Home).

Staying for a few months: B1, C1 and D1

The B1 visa on arrival is available to nationals from a list of countries published by immigration (most European countries, Canada, Australia, Japan, or Morocco are included). It is valid for 30 days, which can be extended once for another 30 days at an immigration office. It is the perfect tool for an initial scouting trip.

For a longer stay without paid activity, the C1 visitor visa grants 60 days upon entry and can be extended or converted into another residence permit. The multiple-entry D1 is suitable if you alternate between Indonesia and another country: each entry opens 60 days. Regarding connectivity, an Asia eSIM plan follows you from one country to another without changing cards. These three visas prohibit any lucrative activity, including the sale of services to an Indonesian client.

Remote work from Bali or Jakarta: the E33G visa

The E33G is the visa for salaried digital nomads. It is intended for employees under contract with a company established outside of Indonesia who perform their work remotely. The application includes a bank statement proving an income of at least $60,000 per year, the employment contract, a personal statement showing at least $2,000 over the last three months, a CV, and an itinerary.

It opens a one-year, renewable limited residence permit (ITAS, which everyone calls KITAS locally), with free round trips. In expatriate discussions, you will still encounter the acronym IMTA, the old work permit: for obtaining your residence permit, rely on the current titles on the official portal. Two prohibitions are written in black and white: selling goods or services, and receiving remuneration from a person or a company in Indonesia.

Retiring in Indonesia: E33F and Silver Hair

Two visas target those aged 55 and older. The E33F retirement visa lasts one year, requires $3,000 in monthly income or pension, and a guarantor in Indonesia. The Silver Hair E33E lasts up to 5 years: it additionally requires a commitment to deposit $50,000 into an account in your name at a public Indonesian bank, to be verified within 90 days of entry. Neither allows you to work for a local organization.

Working or investing locally: E23, E28A and Second Home

To be an employee of an Indonesian company, the employer handles the application: they act as your guarantor and obtain approval from the Ministry of Manpower. The E23 visa then allows you to bring your family. The E28A investor must prove at least 10 billion rupiahs in shares within the guarantor company. The Second Home visa, on the other hand, is aimed at high-net-worth individuals: $130,000 deposited in a public bank, or real estate worth one million dollars.

Visa overstay: what you risk

The fine is one million rupees (approximately €50) per day of overstay during the first 60 days. Beyond that, it is deportation at your own expense, accompanied by an entry ban. As long as the fine is not settled, you cannot leave the country, and detention is possible. Note the end date of your residence permit in your calendar from day one, with a reminder two weeks before.

Regardless of your visa, four rules apply when entering Indonesian territory.

• Passport. It must be valid for more than 6 months on the date of entry, with blank pages, and in very good condition: a damaged passport (torn page, peeling cover) is enough to get you turned away.
• All Indonesia Form. This online declaration combines the arrival card, customs, and health declaration. You fill it out within 72 hours before arrival and present the QR code at immigration.
• Bali tax. Each tourist entry to Bali costs 150,000 IDR (approximately €7.50), payable on the Love Bali website. Holders of a temporary residence permit (KITAS) or permanent residence permit (KITAP) are exempt upon presentation of proof.
• Accommodation declaration. The law requires anyone hosting a foreigner to report it to the local police or the neighborhood head within 24 hours. If you rent a house, keep a copy of your passport and visa to present, and demand a written receipt for any payment requested.

For your first stay on the island, all the pre-departure steps are detailed in our article preparing your trip to Bali.

The cost of living in Indonesia is among the lowest in the region. Numbeo, the leading collaborative price database, estimates monthly expenses excluding rent at approximately €360 for a single person and €1,277 for a family of four (data from September 2026, 3,853 reports). Here is the breakdown of the cost of living in Indonesia, item by item.

At the September 2026 exchange rate, a studio in the city center costs approximately 5.3 million IDR per month. These national averages hide significant disparities. The cost of living in Indonesia remains low compared to Europe, but it varies greatly between Bali, tourist areas, and major cities.

In Bali, a solo traveler should therefore budget around €1,000 to €1,400 per month, including rent, depending on the neighborhood and lifestyle: it is the most expensive area in the country for accommodation, especially for a villa with a pool in Canggu, Seminyak, or Ubud. Conversely, Yogyakarta, Lombok, or a medium-sized city in Java remain well below that. Another peculiarity to include in your budget: rent is often paid for several months, or even a year, in advance.

To judge the cost of living in Indonesia, also keep in mind the thresholds imposed by immigration: 2,000 USD in your account for a visitor visa, 3,000 USD per month in income for a retirement visa, and 60,000 USD per year for a remote work visa. They give an idea of the lifestyle the administration expects from a foreign resident.

For a first installation, most foreigners hesitate between Bali, Jakarta, and Central Java, around Yogyakarta. Bali and Jakarta concentrate the best infrastructure: international schools, private hospitals, visa agencies, and expatriate associations. The right choice depends on your personal preferences: an urban environment and career in Jakarta, or outdoor living in Bali or Lombok. To scout the regions before choosing, browse our article what to do in Indonesia, island by island. One piece of advice that applies everywhere: rent for one month before committing to a year. Noise, seasonal flooding during the rainy season, and mobile network quality can only be judged on-site.

Moving to Bali follows the same rules as the rest of the country, with a few peculiarities unique to the island. Here is how to move to Bali in six steps.

1. Choose the right visa. To settle in Bali for a few weeks, a visa on arrival is sufficient (scouting for 30 to 60 days). Beyond that, get a C1 for a few months, or the E33G if you telework for a foreign company. No visitor visa allows you to work for a Balinese client.
2. Choose your area. Foreigners mostly live in the south and central parts of the island: Canggu and Seminyak for remote workers and surfers, Ubud for peace and rice fields, Sanur for families and retirees, and Uluwatu for the beaches. Each area has its own budget and network quality.
3. Test before signing. Rent a guest house for a month, then negotiate a monthly or yearly lease. Annual rent is often paid in advance, in a single installment: demand a written contract and verify that the landlord declares you to the authorities.
4. Plan your budget. Settling in Bali is more expensive than elsewhere in the country: expect around €512 per month excluding rent for a single person, and from €520 to €855 for a one-bedroom accommodation depending on the neighborhood (Numbeo, September 2026).
5. Handle local formalities. The tourist tax of 150,000 IDR is due upon each entry, except for KITAS or KITAP holders. To ride a scooter, you need your national license and an international driving permit.
6. Arrive connected. Install your Bali eSIM before departure to order your driver and contact your host right from Denpasar airport.

Moving to Bali requires preparation in advance (visa, budget, test accommodation), then concludes on-site with local administrative procedures.

Indonesia has an equatorial tropical climate, hot and humid year-round: straddling the equator, the archipelago experiences neither winter nor summer, but two seasons. On Java, Bali, and Lombok, the dry season runs from April to October and the rainy season from November to March, with intense showers, often at the end of the day. April and November serve as the transition between the two. Closer to the equator, in Sumatra or Kalimantan, rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout the year.

For your daily life, the rainy season changes three things in particular: scooter trips, occasional power outages, and humidity in housing. It's one more reason to visit a house during rainy weather before signing, and to keep a connection plan B for stormy days.

Renting is the normal way. For a stay of a few weeks, guesthouses and booking platforms are sufficient. Beyond that, rent is negotiated monthly or annually, often paid upfront in one lump sum, through local agencies or expatriate groups on social media. Ask for a written contract, verify that your landlord properly declares you to the authorities (the 24-hour rule mentioned above), and take photos of the property's condition.

The purchase follows a fundamental rule: full ownership of land (Hak Milik) is reserved for Indonesian citizens under the 1960 Agrarian Law. A foreigner holding a residence permit can own a house under a right of use (Hak Pakai) or an apartment, under the conditions set by Government Regulation No. 18 of 2021. Beware of purchases made in the name of a third-party Indonesian: the legal owner is the person whose name appears on the title, not the one who paid.

The Indonesian healthcare system is two-tiered: public infrastructure is limited, and expatriates seek medical care in private clinics and hospitals in major cities or in Bali. French consular authorities recommend private hospitals over public ones, and evacuation to Singapore for serious issues. A critical point: Indonesian hospitals will not provide any care without an insurance coverage agreement or a credit card to be charged.

• Insurance. Get an international policy that covers hospitalization, surgery, and medical repatriation. Without coverage, a simple scooter accident can cost several months' worth of your budget.
• Local social security. A foreigner working for at least six months in Indonesia must be affiliated with the national health insurance (JKN, managed by BPJS Kesehatan), according to Presidential Regulation No. 82 of 2018. It provides access to the public network, which most expatriates supplement with private insurance.
• Vaccines and mosquitoes. The yellow fever vaccine is required if you arrive from an endemic area. For everything else, update your vaccination schedule and consult a doctor regarding Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, or Japanese encephalitis, depending on your stay. Dengue is circulating throughout the territory. Malaria is absent from Bali and the city of Jakarta, but present year-round in Papua, the Moluccas, and East Nusa Tenggara.
• Rabies. Dozens of cases have been reported, particularly in Bali. After a bite or scratch from a dog, monkey, or cat, seek medical attention immediately, even if you are vaccinated.
• Medication. Anxiolytics and other psychotropic drugs are treated as narcotics: keep your prescription on you, with a stock corresponding to the dosage.

If you ever need medical care in Singapore, remember to activate your Singapore eSIM before your flight: you'll stay reachable for your insurer and the hospital from the moment you land.

The Indonesian labor market is regulated. For local employment, the company acts as your guarantor for your E23 visa and must obtain a notification from the Ministry of Manpower, to be provided within 90 days of your arrival. Your residence permit specifies the authorized activity: engaging in work that does not match it is an offense.

To find a job locally, positions accessible to foreigners are concentrated in teaching, hospitality, and tourism, as well as expert or management roles within international groups. The fundamental rule: a company can only recruit you if they can justify the need for a foreign profile, which is why it is beneficial to search from your own country, through international group subsidiaries and professional networks.

Starting your own business is possible with a foreign-owned company (PT PMA). The E28A investor visa requires at least 10 billion rupiahs in shares in the guarantor company: this is not a formula for testing an idea, and the setup requires a notary and local counsel.

Remote work for a foreign employer is possible with the E33G visa described above. With a visa on arrival, a C1, or a D1, any lucrative activity is prohibited under the visa conditions. Selling services locally (surf lessons, photography, coaching) without the appropriate permit exposes you to fines, deportation, and legal prosecution.

Regarding taxes, a simple rule sets the framework: a person present in Indonesia for more than 183 days over a 12-month period becomes an Indonesian tax resident, according to the Directorate General of Taxes. The days do not need to be consecutive. A four-year regime limits taxation solely to Indonesian-sourced income for certain highly skilled foreigners, subject to certain conditions. If you are approaching this threshold, have your situation validated by a tax specialist who is familiar with the tax treaty between Indonesia and your country.

The currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Many common transactions are still settled in cash, bank cards are generally accepted in shops, and ATMs are easy to find in large cities. Plan to have cash before heading to rural areas or small islands. Card fraud has been reported, including at ATMs: prioritize those located inside a bank branch.

QR code payment has become a local reflex. In 2020, Bank Indonesia imposed a single national standard, QRIS: one single code displayed at the checkout, readable by all banking applications and electronic wallets in the country. From the local neighborhood warung to the shopping mall, you will see it everywhere.

To open an account, prepare your residence permit. Bank Mandiri, one of the major public banks, requires foreigners to have, for example, a passport valid for at least 6 months and a valid ITAS, ITAP, or Golden Visa, with an initial deposit of 100,000 IDR (approximately $5.50) and an opening process entirely within its application. With a simple visitor visa, you will therefore most often continue to use your international card: check your bank's foreign withdrawal fees before leaving.

Internet connection dictates everything else: your ride-hailing app at the airport, your video calls, your online banking, the All Indonesia QR code. According to Ookla's Speedtest Global Index (August 2026), the median speed reaches 66 Mbps on mobile and 51 Mbps on fixed lines. This is sufficient for working, provided you choose the right network and the right neighborhood.

The first few weeks: arriving connected with an eSIM

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone: you install it at home via QR code and it connects to the local network upon landing. For a seamless setup, it's the ideal arrival solution. You won't have to look for a shop after a 15-hour flight, nor present a passport, nor deal with IMEI registration, and your original line remains active to receive SMS from your bank. Simply turn off its data abroad: out-of-plan rates, operator by operator, can be found in our article on roaming in Indonesia.

Here is the voilà eSIM price list for Indonesia, as of September 21, 2026:

The Indonesia eSIM plans rely on four networks, Telkomsel, XL, Indosat, and Smartfren: your phone automatically connects to the best signal, a real plus when you are traveling between different neighborhoods. voilà eSIM offers excellent value for money, with no subscriptions or automatic renewals. The eSIM is simple to install, the app is easy to use to track your usage or add more GB, and live customer support is available 24/7, even when it's three in the morning at your place and noon in Denpasar.

Only condition: a compatible phone. Check yours below, or read how to know if your phone is eSIM compatible.

For step-by-step installation, follow our tutorial how to install an eSIM, on both iPhone and Android.

The video version:

Beyond one month: the local SIM card

A travel eSIM works for data only. Once you settle in, an Indonesian number becomes useful: verification via code from your local bank, Gojek or Grab accounts, delivery drivers, landlords, schools. A prepaid SIM card can be purchased at an official store upon presentation of your passport, for less than €10 with 25 to 30 GB. Avoid airport stands, which are two to three times more expensive. Telkomsel remains the leading operator for coverage outside of major cities. Points of sale, prices, and pitfalls are detailed in our article about the SIM card in Indonesia.

Are you dropping your bags on the Island of the Gods? Official shops, Denpasar airport rates, and coverage by area are in our article on the SIM card in Bali.

If you want to keep a reachable number everywhere without changing your SIM card, let's take a look at eSIMs with a phone number.

After 90 days: IMEI registration at customs

Indonesia controls phones purchased abroad via their IMEI number, the device's unique identifier (dial *#06# to display it). The Indonesian customs rule applies in three cases.

The block targets the device, not the card: changing your SIM doesn't unlock anything, and an unregistered phone will only work via WiFi with a local line. If you know you are staying for more than three months, head to the customs desk before leaving the airport, phone and passport in hand. Your travel eSIM covers you during this time and remains a backup solution if the local line causes problems.

Fixed internet, coworking spaces, and coverage depending on the islands

A fixed Internet subscription of 60 Mbps or more costs an average of 17 € per month. In a rented villa, always ask for a speed test before signing: two houses on the same street can be served very differently. Coworking spaces in Canggu, Ubud, or Jakarta serve as a backup solution on days when the accommodation's connection fails.

On the mobile side, coverage follows the roads and degrades as soon as you move away from them. The map below aggregates measurements from nPerf users on the Telkomsel network in Bali and western Lombok. To compare all options (eSIM, SIM, pocket WiFi, public WiFi), read our guide Internet in Indonesia.

Are you planning to shine from your home base, between Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City? The <a href="https://voilacreators.com/en/esim-southeast-asia/" class="font-semibold underline hover:opacity-80">Southeast Asia eSIM plan</a > covers multiple countries with a single installation. And if your expat life takes you beyond Asia, the <a href="https://voilacreators.com/en/esim-worldwide/" class="font-semibold underline hover:opacity-80">Global eSIM plan</a > works on the same principle.

Indonesia is generally a safe country for its foreign residents, but four topics deserve your attention.

• Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes. Seismic risk is high throughout the archipelago, and the coastlines of Bali, Lombok, and Flores are exposed to tsunamis. About twenty active volcanoes are under special surveillance. Locate the evacuation routes in your neighborhood and install the BMKG meteorological agency alert app.
• The road. Accidents are frequent and mostly involve two-wheelers. To drive, you need your national license accompanied by an international permit, including for a scooter. Driving is on the left. Without a valid license, your insurance won't cover anything.
• Local alcohol. Adulterated arak, particularly in Bali and Lombok, causes blindness and deaths every year. Stick to sealed bottles and reputable establishments.
• Drugs. Possession, even of a minimal amount, leads to several years in prison. Trafficking is punishable by the death penalty. There is zero tolerance, including in tourist areas.

The provinces of Papua are discouraged unless for imperative reasons, due to regular armed clashes. Elsewhere, precautions are the same as in any major destination: vigilance against scooter snatch-and-grab thefts and ATM scams.

Islam is practiced by the vast majority of the population, while Bali is majority Hindu. Modest clothing is expected in places of worship and outside of seaside areas, and ceremonies truly shape the rhythm of life in the neighborhoods: in Bali, the Day of Silence (Nyepi) shuts down everything, including the airport, for 24 hours.

For families, schooling weighs heavily on the budget: international schools are concentrated in Jakarta and Bali, with annual fees of several thousand euros per child. Check the waiting lists before choosing your neighborhood.

Regarding transport, the Gojek and Grab apps handle almost everything in the city: motorcycle taxis, cars, meals, and groceries. Between islands, flying is the safest choice. Sea connections regularly experience shipwrecks due to aging vessels and overloading: choose established companies and opt out during bad weather.

1. Choose your visa based on the duration and the origin of your income, then submit the application on the official immigration portal, without waiting until the last week.
2. Check your passport: more than 6 months of validity, blank pages, no damage.
3. Subscribe to international health insurance including hospitalization and repatriation.
4. Install your voilà eSIM plan before departure to be connected upon landing.
5. Fill out the All Indonesia form within 72 hours before arrival, and pay the Bali tax if you land there as a tourist.
6. At the airport, have your phone's IMEI registered at customs if you are staying for more than 90 days.
7. Rent for a month in the target neighborhood before signing a yearly lease, and make sure your host declares you to the authorities.
8. Buy a local SIM at an official store, open a bank account as soon as you have your residence permit, and activate QRIS payments.
9. Handle the formalities of your home country: declaration of change of tax residence, social security coverage, international driving permit, and consular registration (for French citizens, the registry of French nationals living abroad).
10. If you are traveling with a pet, check with quarantine services very early: importation is strictly regulated. For moving, travel light: most rentals are furnished.
11. Note your visa expiration date, and keep track of your days of presence if you are approaching 183 days.

• Official visa portal (eVisa): visa applications, fees, and required documents.
• All Indonesia Form : the arrival declaration to be completed within 72 hours before landing.
• Love Bali : the payment of the Bali tourist tax.
• Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai): phone IMEI registration.
• BMKG Meteorological Agency : earthquake, tsunami, and weather alerts.
• France Diplomatie, travel advice and French Embassy in Indonesia: security, health, and consular registration.

Settling in the archipelago is easier than it was a few years ago: visas are applied for online, remote work has its own residence permit, and prices remain affordable outside of trendy neighborhoods. The trade-off is an administration that does not mess around. Choose the visa that truly matches your activity, prioritize your health over your comfort, and never let an expiration date pass.

For connectivity, the right sequence is clear: an eSIM installed before departure for the first few weeks, then a local line and a registered IMEI if you are settling in for good. With voilà eSIM, expect to pay $9.60 for 10 GB or $16.80 for 20 GB for 30 days, across the four networks in the country.